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To Indear vs Indearing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To indear (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to indear" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I want to indear myself to my coworkers by being helpful and friendly.

Indearing (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "indearing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Indearing oneself to others can lead to lasting friendships.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To indear (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To indear oneself to others requires genuine kindness and compassion.

    To indear oneself to others requires genuine kindness and compassion.

    • "*To indear* oneself to others" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (genuine kindness and compassion).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to indear her to our boss.

    She wants me to indear her to our boss.

    • "Me *to indear* her to our boss" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to indear* her to our boss).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a gesture to indear himself to his in-laws.

    He needs a gesture to indear himself to his in-laws.

    • "*To indear* himself to his in-laws" modifies the noun "gesture."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a gesture *to indear* himself to his in-laws).

Indearing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Indearing oneself to others requires genuine kindness and compassion.

    Indearing oneself to others requires genuine kindness and compassion.

    • "*Indearing* oneself to others" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (genuine kindness and compassion).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy indearing myself to my coworkers through acts of kindness.

    I enjoy indearing myself to my coworkers through acts of kindness.

    • "*Indearing* myself to my coworkers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*indearing* myself to my coworkers).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for indearing herself to others.

    She has a talent for indearing herself to others.

    • "For *indearing* herself to others" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *indearing* herself to others).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

Example

They plan to indear themselves to the community through volunteer work.

I hope to indear myself to my new neighbors by baking them cookies.

We want to indear ourselves to our customers by providing excellent service.

He decided to indear himself to his colleagues by offering to help with their projects.

They agreed to indear themselves to their professor by actively participating in class.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys indearing himself to his clients by remembering their birthdays.

They recommend indearing yourself to your coworkers through acts of appreciation.

She dislikes the idea of indearing herself to others for personal gain.

I avoid indearing myself to difficult people to maintain my peace of mind.

Can you imagine yourself indearing others with your charming personality?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to indear themselves to their customers through exceptional service. He likes indearing himself to others by going the extra mile.

She started to indear herself to her coworkers from day one. We started indearing ourselves to the team by always being supportive.

I began to indear myself to my supervisor by taking on additional responsibilities. He began indearing himself to the community by organizing charity events.

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